Does the Grim Reaper pay a psychological toll for doing his job? Jessica Marquez reports in Workforce Management that human resources executives who are charged with facilitating and implementing layoffs are experiencing stress and anxiety over their difficult responsibilities. Some are responding in unhealthy ways:
The HR Anxiety Survey, conducted May 26-June 3, also elicited some disturbing responses from the 372 respondents: Some say they drink more alcohol or have taken up smoking cigarettes; a large number are considering a career change; still others complain that they are called the company’s “Grim Reaper” behind their backs. What’s worse, few who are feeling stress have followed their own advice to use company-sponsored assistance programs.
Oftentimes HR is merely the foot soldier for carrying out personnel decisions made by higher ups. This is a stark example of that dynamic.
For Marquez’s full article: http://www.workforce.com/section/09/feature/26/50/85/.
